1 Big Question Facing Each Packers Defensive Position Group at the Bye

Green Bay Packers CBs: When will Jaire Alexander return and who will play where?

Like Za’Darius Smith and David Bakhtiari, there seems to be an expectation that Jaire Alexander will return this season as well. But that doesn’t seem to be an absolute certainty either.

So until that time comes, the current Green Bay Packers corners will have to hold it together–something that they’ve been able to do for the most part. Joe Barry’s defensive scheme that consists of lightboxes with an emphasis on stopping the pass and a cover-2 shell to provide safety help has provided these cornerbacks with some additional assistance.

But overall, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Chandon Sullivan, and even Kevin King have also performed well individually–although as we saw against Minnesota, this group can still be exposed.

If Alexander does return, at that point, the Packers will have some decisions to make in the secondary. A few options include playing Alexander and Stokes on the boundary with Sullivan in the slot. Or perhaps they move Alexander to the slot with Stokes and Douglas on the boundary.

Another interesting option that Andy Herman of Packer Report mentioned was having Douglas play as the third safety–which has been Henry Black’s role. That way, Alexander and Stokes can both stay on the boundary, Sullivan will be in the slot, and Green Bay can keep Douglas on the field. I also imagine we will still see King out there at times as well.

Entering the season, the cornerback depth was my biggest concern, but now the Green Bay Packers appear to have plenty of it with the emergence of Stokes and Douglas, along with King and Sullivan elevating their play. Now, we just continue to hope that Alexander will be able to join them for a playoff push.